pakistan

Zia Mohyeddin cast a spell with magical voice

Published

2 months ago

February 13, 2023

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Zia Mohyeddin cast a spell with magical voice

Zia Mohyeddin, the master narrator and literary icon who mesmerised the world for several decades, has knocked the literature lovers and a large fanbase sideways with his death on Monday.

The death of a perfectionist in his own way coincided with the birth anniversary of prolific writer and poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz who is also known as the people’s poet for raising voice for social justice.

Mohyeddin, 91, breathed his last at the intensive care unit of a private hospital in Karachi where he will be laid to rest.

Born in Faisalabad on June 20, 1931, Mohyeddin spent his early life in the Punjab capital Lahore and got training at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art from 1953 to 1956 before making his West End debut in ‘A Passage to India’ at the Comedy Theatre in 1960. The great thespian, who was also a British national, made his film debut with his role in ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ in 1962. He hosted a blockbuster show named after him, the Zia Mohyeddin Show, from 1969 to 1973.

The recipient of Hilal-i-Imtiaz and Sitara-i-Imtiaz authored three books – A Carrot is a Carrot, Theatrics and The God of My Idolatry Memories and Reflections – besides setting up an art academy in Karachi to trained people in various fields.

Besides all this, he ruled the hearts with his arresting voice for more than three decades as his annual readings from Urdu literature were an established tradition on Lahore’s literary calendar. It was his magical voice that a devoted audience waited for him for hours ahead of the start of the reading sessions. The master of re-enacting Shakespeare had the skills to take the audience on a rare journey with his resonant voice that drew crowds to his renditions.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, political figures and people from all walks of lives paid tribute to Zia Mohyeddin.

Mr Sharif expressed deep grief and sorrow over the death of legendary Zia Mohyeddin and prayed for the departed soul. He said Mohyeddin’s unique style earned fame all over the world including Pakistan. “Zia Mohyeddin introduced a new dimension to television hosting in Pakistan and that he earned a good name for the country by acting at international level,” he added.

Here’s how other people paid tribute to the veteran;

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pakistan

Toshakhana case: Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi challenges NAB notices in IHC

Published

12 hours ago

April 1, 2023

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akistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi on Saturday moved the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the call-up notices issued by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in a reference regarding Toshakhana gifts.

The former first lady has challenged the notices served on her on March 16 and 17 through her lawyer, Khawaja Harris. She has made the NAB chairman, and additional director of NAB Rawalpindi respondents in the case.

Bushra Bibi had pleaded the court to declare the notices null and void. She also requested the high court to bar the NAB from taking any disciplinary action against her on the basis of the notices. The petitioner asked the court to stop NAB from converting the case inquiry into an investigation.

The development comes after she failed to appear before the anti-graft watchdog to join the inquiry proceedings in the reference.

A notice issued to Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi and others in the Toskhana case in February this year states: “The competent authority has taken cognisance of an offence allegedly committed by the accused persons under the provisions of NAO, 1999. In this regard, the inquiry proceedings have revealed that during your tenure in office you retained some state gifts presented to you by various foreign dignitaries including the following luxury items — five Rolex wristwatches; one iPhone presented by Chief of Staff, Qatar Armed Forces, dated 14.11.2018; (No. E67574V3), a pair of cufflinks, one ring; unstitched cloth of pant coat from Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia dated 18.09.2020; Graff gift set containing one Graff wristwatch Master Graff Special Edition Mecca timepiece, one 18K gold and diamond Graff pen and a ring and pair of cufflinks with micro-painting of Mecca.”

“You are therefore requested to join the inquiry proceedings before the Combined Investigation Team (CIT), NAB (Rawalpindi/Islamabad), Civic Centre, G-6, Islamabad,” reads the notice

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pakistan

Govt moves SC to withdraw curative review reference against Justice Isa

Published

12 hours ago

April 1, 2023

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The federal government on Saturday filed a petition in the Supreme Court to withdraw curative review reference against Justice Qazi Faez Isa.

The government said it did not want to pursue the case and pleaded the apex court to allow the withdrawal of the petition against the senior judge.

A day earlier, President Dr Arif Alvi approved the withdrawal of the curative review reference and Civil Miscellaneous Application (CMA) against the judge of Justice Isa.

The president gave the approval on the advice of the prime minister in accordance with Article 48 of the Constitution. Dr Alvi also signed his power of attorney in favour of Advocate Supreme Court Anees Ahmed Shehzad.

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pakistan

‘Only three’ died in pursuit of free flour in Punjab, clarifies Punjab gov spox

Published

12 hours ago

April 1, 2023

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Punjab caretaker information minister Amir Mir on Saturday said PTI senior vice president Fawad Chaudhry’s claims of 20 deaths in pursuit of free flour across the province were ridiculous.

He clarified that “only three” people died in a stampede while four others suffered a cardiac arrest adding that two of them died in the hospital while the remaining breathed their last in their homes.

He said Mr Chaudhry’s false claims won’t get the air adding that he should refrain from telling lies in the holy month of Ramadan at least. “PTI leaders compete with each other in lies”, he added. People of Pakistan, he said, were aware of the difference between truth and lies and it was not possible for people like Fawad to misguide them.

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